Big test this week, weve feasted on done pretty weak run d’s the last few weeks. Interested to see how they fare, in the past our run game tended to disappear in these games. Im hopeful we’re turning a corner there because Michel looks corey dillon -Curtis martin legit right now.
I'm not sure how legit the Bears' run-D ranking is.
Their first four games, they held team to an average of 64 rushing yds/game. However, those teams' ground games are currently ranked:
GBY = #26 att .. #17 yds .. #25 TDs .. #7 ypa ... (69 yds v CHI)
SEA = #7 att .. #9 yds .. #17 TDs .. #17 ypa ... (74 yds v CHI)
ARZ = #31 att .. #32 yds .. #13 TDs .. #32 ypa ... (53 yds v CHI)
TBY = #25 att .. #31 yds .. #30 TDs .. #29 ypa ... (60 yds v CHI)
The outlier there is SEA in WK-2. They were missing starting OG Fluker, and their #2RB, Davis, was dinged up (only had 3 carries). Doesn't necessarily explain it, but might've contributed.
Then, after their BYE in WK-5, the Bears played ...
MIA = #19 att .. #16 yds .. #31 TDs .. #13 ypc
The Fins hung 161 rushing yards on the Bears. Gore had 101 of those on 15 carries. Maybe the Bears thought the "old man" couldn't actually run anymore so didn't prepare for him. I can't imagine the Bears defense was "selling out to stop the pass" with Osweiler at QB, though (they didn't anyway).
Anyway, after the last three games, the Pats' ground game is now ranked:
#5 att ... #11 yds ... #6 TDs ... #19 ypc
For the first three games, the Pats rushing attack averaged 98 yds/game (not awful).
For the past three games, it's averaged 148 yds/game.
